A former detective chief inspector, Michael Cooper, has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for killing a pedestrian and seriously injuring another after losing consciousness at the wheel. Cooper, 55, was driving an unmarked police car in September 2021 when he collided with parked vehicles, crushing educational psychologist James Bane between two cars. Mr. Bane, a father of two, died at the scene in Etwall, Derbyshire.
A woman also struck by Cooper's vehicle sustained severe injuries and continues to suffer from physical and psychological effects. Cooper pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He had resigned from the police force in 2024.
During the sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court, the prosecution highlighted Cooper's nearly 20-year history of unexplained blackouts. A consultant neurologist had advised Cooper approximately 12 years prior to the crash not to drive and to report his condition to the DVLA and his insurance company. However, Cooper failed to do so. Court documents indicate Cooper was aware of his condition, which is thought to be related to a cardiac issue known as Stokes-Adams syndrome or epilepsy, and had expressed concerns to doctors about driving, swimming, or working at heights.
Despite these concerns and the neurologist's warning, Cooper continued to drive, a decision the prosecution described as courting dangerous risk. The judge, Mr. Justice Sweeting, stated that Cooper had shown a "callous disregard of the potential danger he posed" and that Mr. Bane's death was a "wholly avoidable tragedy."
Mr. Bane had visited a local primary school and was returning to his car when the incident occurred. Cooper's vehicle first struck the female pedestrian before shunting parked cars into each other. Mr. Bane's wife, Catherine, described her husband as "thoughtful, dedicated, respected and greatly missed," and told Cooper in court that it was "staggering" he had never shown contrition or apologized.
In addition to the prison sentence, Cooper has been disqualified from driving for five years.